East Central College   

Category: Athletics

ECC Defender Named to All-American Team

November 29, 2023 | Athletics Campus News

East Central College soccer player Jules Denommee has been named 3rd Team All-American for the 2023 season by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DII Men’s Soccer committee. Denommee, a freshman defender from Montreal, Canada, was honored on Nov. 28 for this achievement.

ECC Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff stated that Denommee’s exceptional work on the field was recognized by the Region 16 coaches, who voted him 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-Conference for his accomplishments and gameplay throughout the 2023 campaign. He was the No. 2 ranked player in the region.

Denommee’s statistical numbers were impressive for a left-back with 7 assists in a position that rarely gets into the offensive attack. He also scored one goal and started 17 of 18 games in the season.

With a team record of 10-6-2, the year was highlighted by good defensive play, and Denommee stood out as the most shutdown defender in NJCAA Region 16, in addition to his offensive prowess. Denommee scored 9 points during the season, took 5 shots, and had a shot percentage of .200. He also secured a game-winning goal this season.

Student Athletes Recognized Within Region 16

May 25, 2023 | Athletics Campus News

Several East Central College student athletes were recognized for their talent within the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 16.

Taylor Hanger, Pacific, a pitcher in her second year at ECC was named to the all-region first team.

Hanger led the Falcons throughout the regular season and into the post season, playing the last 12 games of the season with a slight fracture in her glove hand. She even pitched some of her best games with the injury, according to Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, ECC athletic director.

“It was difficult for her to swing the bat, but the coaches in NJCAA Region 16 noticed her talent and named her first-team all-region,” he said.

Hanger, a nursing major from Pacific High School, was an NJCAA Academic All-American and the ECC Female Scholar Athlete Scholar Athlete her freshman year at ECC.

“Hanger has had a tough balance in her last semester but has managed to be successful in all aspects of being a student athlete at the intercollegiate level,” Mehrhoff added.

She ended the regular season with a 12-8 record striking out 77 batters. Her grit and determination were not always evident as she would be all business when she was in the circle pitching for the Falcons.

Region Player of the Year

ECC Baseball Falcon Shane Kearbey, O’Fallon, Mo., was named the Region Player of the Year by the NJCAA Region 16 DII coaches’ vote. Kearbey, a left-handed pitcher, had a fantastic regular season going 5-1, pitching 61.1 innings and striking out 68 batters with a 2.39 ERA, Mehrhoff said.

Kearbey graduated from ECC May 13 with an Associate of Arts degree in Business. He graduated from Francis Howell High School in 2021.

Rounding out the first team all-region selections for the Falcons were two outfielders, Luciano Terilli, and Trey Orman.

“Terilli gave opposing batters nightmares with his good glove patrolling center field making spectacular plays,” Mehrhoff said. “His at the plate and defensive approach to the game made him an all-around player.

“Orman had his best season in college leading the Falcons in doubles with 12 and hit 4 home runs driving in 24 runs on the year,” he added.

The NJCAA Region 16 DII All-Defense team included Terilli along with Cameron Leach and Andy Hueste. Leach was a formidable outfielder with his glove and led the team with 22 stolen bases.

Hueste was injured early in the season but found his glove and bat heating up at the end of the season with 24 hits and some great plays from second base and shortstop positions.

ECC selections to second-team all-region were Seth Shannon (.341 batting average), DeVon Jennings (5 home runs), Mario Colombo (.316 batting average), Will DesHotels (2-2, 44 strikeouts), Billy Underwood (2.69 ERA), and Hayden Steelman. All six were starters and contributed to the team’s success throughout the season, both at the plate and from the mound.

Coach Tom Dill to be Recognized with Dugout Naming

April 10, 2023 | Athletics Campus News

East Central College is celebrating the college’s first baseball coach, Tom Dill, with the naming of the Taco Bell Field home dugout.

The Tom Dill Dugout naming ceremony will be Saturday, May 6, at Taco Bell Field during the Region 16 Tournament hosted by ECC. The naming ceremony will be held between games at approximately 11:30 a.m. Food and drink will be available.

RSVP to the event here, by emailing the ECC Foundation at foundation@eastcentral.edu or calling 636-584-6506.

Dill was the founding skipper for the East Central Junior College Rebels baseball squad. He coached the baseball team for 16 seasons, from 1974-1990.

Dill coached many talented baseball players during his tenure, including Tom Henke, a Major League Baseball All-Star who played 14 seasons in the Majors and won the World Series in 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dill also was a faculty member at ECC from 1973 to 2000. He later served two six-year terms on the College’s board of trustees, including several years as board secretary.

If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 7.

Benninger Named Men’s and Women’s Soccer Head Coach

August 3, 2022 | Athletics Campus News

Joseph Benninger is taking over as the full-time combined men’s and women’s head soccer coach at East Central College.

He had been serving as an assistant coach under Coach Martin Clayes, who recently took a position to coach professional soccer.

According to ECC Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, Benninger is ready to take the helm and lead a talented group of young men and women into the 2022 NJCAA fall campaign.

“Benninger has been instrumental in helping build the program at East Central College,” Mehrhoff said. “The women’s program has been a tough climb since the 2020 COVID season, but the roster looks ready to compete this year.

“Benninger’s hopes are to elevate the women’s program to compete for the region title in the same way he feels the men’s program is ready to compete each and every year,” Mehrhoff added.

He further added that Benninger has “a gift” when it comes to recruiting, along with a strong passion for soccer.

Benninger is a native of St. Louis and he played club and high school soccer under the rich traditions in St. Louis. He played high school soccer at De Smet Jesuit High School.

He then attended Truman State University, Kirksville, where he was a member and captain of the Bulldogs volleyball squad, during their most successful run in school history.

Along with his college experience, Benninger has coached and worked in administration in the USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), with the St. Louis Lions. He has also spent time coaching at the youth level.

Benninger has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Truman State University.

“As the 2022 season approaches, Benninger hopes to fill an entire roster for the women’s team at ECC and build the men’s team into a contender right away,” Mehrhoff said. “Time will be of the essence as Coach Benninger works diligently to complete the 2022 schedule and get the Falcons soaring on the pitch.”

Baseball Program Earns National Academic Award

July 29, 2022 | Athletics Campus News

The American Baseball Coaches Association is recognizing the East Central College baseball program with an ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award.

The award is given to programs from every level of college — from NCAA Division I to Junior College — and high school baseball teams throughout the nation.

The award highlights programs coached by ABCA members that posted a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for the entire 2021-22 academic year.

“I am proud of the guys and their dedication in the classroom,” said ECC Baseball Coach Johnathon Mills. “A core fundamental of our philosophy is to the careers of our student athletes off the field.”

Over 250 high school programs and more than 420 collegiate programs were recognized with this year’s award. The Team Academic Excellence Award is presented by Sports Attack, which manufactures sports training equipment.

Coaches nominated their teams for the ABCA Award following the conclusion of their spring semesters by the July 14 deadline. To be honored, teams had to meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a high school or college team
  • Head coach must be a current ABCA member
  • Team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale during the 2021-22 academic year

The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes.

The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/ATEC Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

ECC Student Athletes Excel in the Classroom

July 15, 2022 | Athletics Campus News

The East Central College Athletic Department continues to excel on the field and in the classroom.

The department boasted the second highest Grade Point Average of teams in the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC). ECC’s all-team GPA was 3.021 for the past academic year.

In addition, the Falcon Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams all were named All-Academic Teams of the Year with a 3.0 or higher team GPA.

Individually, there were 16 National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-Americans.
Listed below are the All-American players, followed by the team they are on at ECC and then which All-American team they were named to:

Morgan Green              Softball – 2nd Team                            Stephen Akot               Men’s Soccer – 1st Team

Taylor Hanger                Softball – 1st Team                             Julio Gonzalez             Men’s Soccer – 3rd Team

Addie Konkel                 Softball – 2nd Team                             Aidan Ottens               Men’s Soccer – 3rd Team

Madelyn Ruszala          Softball – 1st Team                             Pierocarlo Previte      Men’s Soccer – 3rd Team

Emma Weston              Softball – 3rd Team                             Santiago Sanchez       Men’s Soccer – 2nd Team

Shane Kearbey              Baseball – 3rd Team                           Charley Leonard         Women’s Soccer – 3rd Team

Ethan Lindemann         Baseball – 3rd Team                           Gabrielle Mattli           Women’s Soccer – 3rd Team

Nathan Turner               Baseball – 2nd Team                           RaeLeigh Miller           Women’s Soccer – 1st Team

Listed below are the ECC student athletes, followed by the sport they play, named to the Academic All-Region with a minimum 3.25 GPA:

Morgan Green                  Softball                                     Stephen Akot                      Men’s Soccer

Taylor Hanger                    Softball                                     Sam Gentges                       Men’s Soccer

Hannah Jarvis                    Softball                                     Julio Gonzalez                     Men’s Soccer

Addie Konkel                     Softball                                     Joe McInnes                         Men’s Soccer

Emma Riegel                      Softball                                     David Morais Kerejian      Men’s Soccer

Madelyn Ruszala              Softball                                     Aidan Ottens                       Men’s Soccer

Nicole Truitt                       Softball                                     Pierocarlo Previte              Men’s Soccer

Emma Weston                  Softball                                     Santiago Sanchez               Men’s Soccer

Logan Baker                       Baseball                                   Charley Leonard                 Women’s Soccer

Grant Beck                          Baseball                                   Rebekah Lewis                    Women’s Soccer

Tyson Dent                         Baseball                                   Gabrielle Mattli                   Women’s Soccer

Houston Henry                  Baseball                                   RaeLeigh Miller                   Women’s Soccer

Andy Hueste                      Baseball                                   Samantha Starling              Women’s Soccer

Shane Kearbey                  Baseball                                   Avery Street                         Women’s Soccer

Ethan Lindemann             Baseball                                   Kayleigh Willman                Women’s Soccer

Trey Orman                        Baseball                                   Isabella Allgeyer                 Volleyball

Trevor Packan                    Baseball                                   Trinity Clark                          Volleyball

Nathan Turner                   Baseball                                   Olivia Spanley                      Volleyball

The following ECC student athletes were named to the All-Conference team with at least a 3.0 GPA:

Aubree Eaton                    Softball                                     Will Sisk                                 Baseball

Morgan Green                  Softball                                     Nathan Turner                     Baseball

Taylor Hanger                    Softball                                     Blake Whitlock                    Baseball

Hannah Jarvis                    Softball                                     Stephen Akot                      Men’s Soccer

Addie Konkel                     Softball                                     James Baxter                       Men’s Soccer

Emma Riegel                      Softball                                     Jacob Buhr                            Men’s Soccer

Madelyn Ruszala              Softball                                     Sam Ennis                              Men’s Soccer

Nicole Truitt                       Softball                                     Sam Gentges                       Men’s Soccer

Emma Weston                  Softball                                     Julio Gonzalez                     Men’s Soccer

Logan Baker                       Baseball                                   Bailey Hoehne                     Men’s Soccer

Grant Beck                          Baseball                                   Joe McInnes                         Men’s Soccer

Levi Betts                            Baseball                                   David Morais Kerejian      Men’s Soccer

Mario Colombo                 Baseball                                   Aidan Ottens                       Men’s Soccer

Patrick Dale                        Baseball                                   Pierocarlo Previte              Men’s Soccer

Tyson Dent                         Baseball                                   Santiago Sanchez               Men’s Soccer

Will DesHotels                  Baseball                                   Andrea Hernandez            Women’s Soccer

Josh Gardner                     Baseball                                   Charley Leonard                 Women’s Soccer

Houston Henry                  Baseball                                   Rebekah Lewis                    Women’s Soccer

Andy Hueste                      Baseball                                   Gabrielle Mattli                   Women’s Soccer

Shane Kearbey                  Baseball                                   RaeLeigh Miller                   Women’s Soccer

Ethan Lindemann             Baseball                                   Sommer Schneider            Women’s Soccer

Austin McKim                    Baseball                                   Samantha Starling              Women’s Soccer

Sam Oermann                   Baseball                                   Avery Street                         Women’s Soccer

Trey Orman                        Baseball                                   Kayleigh Willman                Women’s Soccer

Trevor Packan                    Baseball                                   Isabella Allgeyer                 Volleyball

Jack Reynolds                    Baseball                                   Makayla Case                      Volleyball

Justin Rogers                     Baseball                                   Trinity Clark                          Volleyball

Tony Schwartz                   Baseball                                   Macy Morehead                Volleyball

Seth Shannon                    Baseball                                   Olivia Spanley                      Volleyball

Omir Santos, Former MLB Player, Reflects on ECC Days

February 14, 2022 | Athletics Campus News

In 2001, Omir Santos was the catcher for the last East Central College baseball team to take the field in more than 20 years.

After the 2001 season the ECC baseball field was empty for years to come, but Santos was just beginning his career in professional baseball.

“I was sad when I heard there was no longer baseball at ECC,” said the 40-year-old backstop. “But it is great to hear that baseball is back now.”

In just a few days, a new ECC baseball squad will take the field. The team plays its first game in Harrison, Ark., against North Arkansas College.  A home opener at Taco Bell Field had been slated for Feb. 22 at noon, but weather  and field conditions could change the date of the first game in Union.

Santos, 40, was recruited in 1999 from his hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to play baseball at ECC, where he played two seasons.

Santos was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2001 in the 21st round of the MLB draft. He made his way through the minor leagues with the Yankees affiliate club, and then played in the Majors for four different teams.

Santos is one of just two ECC players to play in the Majors. The other player, Tom Henke, was a dominant relief pitcher in the 1980s and 1990s.

Santos moved onto coaching and managing teams after his playing days and in January he was named the manager of the Lynchburg Hillcats, Virginia League Baseball team, an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

Santos said he is looking into coming to the college to watch a game and show his son around ECC.

All-American Player

Santos attended ECC from 1999-2001, and during his freshman season, he was a key piece of the ECC team winning the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) title.

It was the first and only time in school history that the team won the conference title.

In 2000, Santos was named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Region.

He also garnered NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors after his sophomore season. He led the ECC team in batting average and runs batted in during his second collegiate season.

Santos was named a NJCAA Division 1, third-team All-American after his sophomore season in 2001.

At ECC

Santos said his time at ECC prepared him for the big leagues, and life in general.

“It was a cool experience,” he commented. “If I ever had to do it again, I would pick ECC — they gave me the opportunity to play baseball and go to school.”

“It was the first time that I left the house,” Santos remembered. “My parents were not there and being on my own It made me grow fast — I was cooking, doing laundry, things I was not prepared for.”

He added that ECC gave him his first experience being independent, but also a strong foundation for baseball at the highest level.

“When I first arrived at ECC, I did not know what to do,” Santos said, “but everyone made me feel comfortable.”

He was one of nine ballplayers from Puerto Rico, and there were many more international students attending the college.

“I had the opportunity to meet people from different places and cultures who were all going to school — and I got together with other students who also were far from home, so I was not alone.”

Santos still talks with teammates via social media.

“We keep in touch through Facebook and Instagram messages,” he said. “We don’t talk every day but I still talk with some of the guys.”

Baseball Career  

Santos played at the Major League level with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians (now called the Guardians). He made his Major League debut Sept. 5, 2008, with the Baltimore Orioles.

He had a long professional career, 122 major league appearances where he totaled 80 hits, 41 RBI and 7 home runs. Santos was named to the Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team in 2009 with the Mets.

Prior to taking the head spot with the Hillcats, Santos worked as the Akron Rubber Ducks bench coach, which also is a Cleveland Guardians affiliate. He resides with his wife Gelitza and two children in Kissimmee, Fla.

Santos owns and runs the Triple Crown Sports Academy, a baseball training facility and travel baseball organization.

College Launches Online Holiday Apparel Store

November 10, 2021 | Athletics Campus News

The East Central College Bookstore’s holiday online apparel store is now open.

The store offers holiday-themed clothing including “ugly Christmas sweaters,” and “vintage truck” apparel.

Visit the store at https://eccholiday2021.itemorder.com/.

The online store will only be open for a limited time, and it will close Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 11:59 p.m.

The college partnered with MVP Apparel, a Legacy Company located in Washington.

Customers will have access to several holiday items, including:

  • ECC Holiday T-shirts
  • Vintage Truck Long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts
  • Vintage Truck fleece hooded sweatshirts
  • Holiday crewneck sweatshirts
  • “Ugly sweater” long sleeve t-shirts
  • “Ugly sweater” fleece crewneck sweatshirts

Traditional apparel items include:

  • ECC Fan Favorite T-shirts
  • Pullover hoodies
  • Fleece crewneck sweatshirt
  • One-quarter zip pullover fleece sweatshirts

Women’s apparel includes:

  • Flannel plaid pants
  • French terry hoodies
  • Soft shell vests

Accessories include:

  • Soccer scarf
  • ECC pom beanie

Akot Named NJCAA Region 16 Player of the Year

November 3, 2021 | Athletics Campus News

East Central College sophomore Stephen Akot was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Region (NJCAA) Region 16 DII Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.

The award goes to the player receiving the most votes from the region coaches at the conclusion of the regular season.

Akot, a native of Dronten, Netherlands, is in his third season at ECC. Akot elected to stay one more semester before graduating this December because last year’s COVID-19 impacted season didn’t count against his eligibility, according to Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, ECC Athletic Director.

“His first sophomore year was hampered by an ankle injury and he felt he needed to stay at ECC to prove himself,” he said.

Akot has been a model student in the classroom, student worker and athlete during his tenure as a Falcon.

“He will be graduating with an associate degree and plans to either return to the Netherlands or find a job anywhere in the world,” Mehrhoff added. “He loves his home country, but Stephen is up to exploring more opportunities before he officially has to become an adult with a job.”

On top of his great digital social media work for the soccer team, he has his own fashion line called “Merch,” specializing in casual wear with a design flare as he makes specialty T-shirts and hoodies.

A very talented person, Akot hopes to combine his passions into a future profession in business and fashion.

Akot’s 15 goals this season tie him for No 11 all-time with former teammate Arman Kovac (2019) and NJCAA 2nd Team All-American Jacob Moore (2015.)

Also, Akot’s 21 career goals tie him for ninth all-time in goals scored for a career in the ECC soccer record books.

In 2019, he scored 6 Goals and had 2 assists for a total of 14 points. In 2020, he had 1 goal and no assists for a total of 2 points.

This year, Akot had 15 Goals and 5 assists for a total of 35 points.

Photo by Bill Battle, The Missourian 

Clark Named NJCAA Player of the Year

November 2, 2021 | Athletics Campus News

East Central College volleyball player Trinity Clark was named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 16 DII Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year.

Clark helped her team win the region championship and she will continue her impressive defensive play Saturday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m. at ECC when the Falcons play Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the district championship.

The winner will go onto the NJCAA National Tournament.

“Some may think Trinity to be quiet off the court, but on the court, she commands a presence on defense side for ECC,” said Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, ECC athletic director.

He added that Clark has been a key player in back-to-back NJCAA Region 16 Championships for the Falcons, and she was a two-time First Team All-Region performer in the spring 2021, as well as this fall 2021 season.

“The stat lines for Clark at ECC were super impressive in that two-year span,” Mehrhoff said. “A shortened 2020-21, due to a Covid abbreviated season, had her numbers a little lower in the ECC record books compared to past players, but they still put her in the top 10 for a career in digs with 1,033 to date.”

In 2020, Clark had 393 digs with an average of 5.67 digs per set. This season, she had 636 Digs with an average of 6.24 digs per set.

Clark hopes to graduate this semester with her associate degree and move on to play at a four-year college somewhere in Missouri or close to the area.